RDG in the Media: A First Look at Kirksville Cancer Center
Healthcare Design Magazine shares about the patient-first cancer facility, designed by RDG, that will expand access to oncology services in northeast Missouri.
Following its purchase of a clinic in Kirksville, Missouri, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System experienced a rapid increase in demand for services, prompting a community conversation about unmet healthcare needs. Through these discussions, Hannibal Regional quickly identified the pressing need for radiation oncology services for cancer patients in the Kirksville market, which had been discontinued in the summer of 2022. This lack of life-saving service created an undue burden on hundreds of area residents who had to travel nearly 200 miles round-trip daily for cancer treatments, should they receive a diagnosis that required radiation oncology. In response, Hannibal Regional developed plans to address this community need and, in December 2025, officially broke ground on the Kirksville Cancer Center.
Designed by RDG Planning & Design, and expected to be completed in spring 2027, the new 19,200-SF center will serve as a central hub for comprehensive oncology services in northeast Missouri. The center balances high-level clinical performance alongside a compassionate patient-centered environment, bringing together medical oncology, radiation oncology and a full-service cancer clinic in one building and expanding access to high-quality care close to home for individuals who previously lacked convenient treatment options.
RDG’s design blends clinical performance with a welcoming, patient-centered experience, beginning with an inviting, light-filled entry and continuing through warm, hospitality-inspired interiors. Thoughtful spatial planning — from wind-buffering entry sequences to intimate waiting areas and private family spaces — supports comfort, dignity and ease for patients and their families. Biophilic design elements, including natural materials, plant imagery and views to healing gardens, are integrated throughout to reduce stress and enhance well-being. At the same time, the facility is carefully organized to streamline workflows, improve care team collaboration and simplify navigation through intuitive wayfinding strategies. The design also anticipates future advancements, with flexible infrastructure and strategically placed treatment areas that can adapt to evolving technologies.
Read more about the Kirksville Cancer Center in Healthcare Design Magazine’s “First Look” feature.